I think we sometimes forget that actions and attitudes speak so much louder than words, especially on mass media.

That it's televised/published/portrayed in a movie... tells us it's "popular" so how bad can it be.

If someone is willing to undergo it willingly to "see how bad it is" tells us that it can't be that bad or at least that all of the ill effects are completely reversible (would you undergo a lobotomy to see how bad it is)

I'm not sure if these "public service" shows realize (or care much) that they are sending out such mixed messages, but I do find it hard to believe that someone on staff doesn't at least occasionally say "are we really sure we want to do this," but my guess is that ratings make the final decision.

I'm not saying that the producers are intentionally being uncaring, but when a lot of money is on the line which ratings ultimately are, it's a lot easier to persuade yourself that you're doing the right thing and it isn't about the money at all (a lie that's easier to tell yourself as it fills your pockets).

I really enjoyed the program I think she will have put a lot of people off from trying to attain size zero because of her attitude to it and also seeing how much worse she looked once she got there!!

I don't think it will have put people off. I think it was a really bad judgement to make that show because it just showed people how to become a size 0 if they really wanted to be. I know I have started to measure food by the size of my fist and eat omelettes.

I believe the potential for harm is as great, or greater than the potential good, at least that has been my experience in the mental health field. Several studies seem to indicate that even when an "unhappy ending" is portrayed, images of self-destructive behaviors actually increase the likelihood of people copying them. I remember studying this effect with self-destructive behaviors like suicide, drug use, and self-injury (like cutting on oneself), and I'm guessing that it would be very similar for eating disorders.

There has even been some indication that participation in DARE antidrug programs in schools actually increases the likelihood of a kid trying drugs. One theory is that these kids feel that since they believe they are aware of the risks, that are more likely to feel they are making "an informed decision."